Adapter for headlight reflectors



March 26, 1929. s, FHARBUCKLE 1,706,836

ADAPTER FOR HEADLIGHT REFLECTORS Filed 00%. 9, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY March 26, 1929. s ARBUCKLE 1,706,836

ADAPTER FOR HEADLIGHT REFLECTORS Filed Oct. 9, 1925 s Sheets-Sheet 2 e2 BY March 26, 1929. s. F. ARBUCKLE ADAPTER FOR HEADLIGHT REFLECTORS 3 Sheets-Sheet .2 0 m w 1 w v M Z V 4 4 J r 8 9 am BB 0 2w 5 3 Z 1 1 I. 6 T B H a M ,\'/1 7 m 5 H 8 J 4 H N V 3 J m H 1 Z W i 6 Z $2 W o a 3 9 0 a ATTORNEY Patented M ar. Z6, 19 29.

PA ENT' Q FI E- SAMUEL A EUCKLE, oEnEr oI'r, wearers, sssronon'rizo monoenm LENS conro'na'rron, OF NEW YORK,

A conronarron or DELAWARE.

DAPTER rorv HEADLIGHT EErLEc'roEs' "Application filed October a, 1923. Serial No. 667,561.

This invention relates generally to headlights, and particularly to replacement reflectors positioned within the headlight reflector and to means for adjusting and retaining the replacement reflector in proper position therein. P v

Hitherto, the practice in automobilem'aintenanceha's been where 'a headlamp reflector has become uselessthrough wear of the reflecting surface material, or Where'it has beenfound' expedient to provide a special type reflector tofreduce glare without the employment of a refraction lens, to remove the original reflector from the headlamp casing and substitute the new reflector. This operation generally entails considerable manipulation and annoyance and, moreover, especially in the case 'of'the'substitution of that type of glare correcting reflector known as fiat lite involves important difficulties in adjustment so as to meet legal requirements and obtain the maxlmum lighting efli ciency.

lit is therefore one of the obj ects of this invention to provide a reflector unit which is adapted for insertion within the ordinary reflector, thereby obviating the necessity of disconnecting the original reflector from the .headlight. Another important object is the provision of nector between the head lamp casing and the inserted reflector which permits of easy and proper alignment of the lamp and coacting reflecting surfaces. Another object contemplated is the provision of means for readily adjusting within a headlight, a reflector having a vertically zoned-surface such as the flatlite type. a

An object of the invention also is to provide mechanism whereby a reflector inserted within another headlight reflector may be adjusted both transversely as to axis and longitudinally along the axis. Otherobj-ects are the provision ofmeans for taking up vibration andthe provision of adapters suitable for attachment to single or double described and illustrated in the, accompany:

-ing drawing, in which in adapting or adjusting conj holding means.

lamp to modifying the the invention herein bearing plate 12.

Figure 1 is a front elevational view with parts broken away to show the inserted reflector y I Figure 2 is a vertical sect-ion taken on lines 2 '2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 1s an exploded view of the connecting elements of the headlamp in relation to the supporting and reflecting surfaces;

Figure 4 is a longitudinalsection'through the adapter;

Figure '5 is a cross section of-the adapter on lines55 of Figure 4; v

- Figure 6' is a mod'fied form of adapter designed for use ina two-wire circuit;

Figure 7 is anlend view of the modification of Fig. 6; v I

Figure 8 is a detail showing a modified reflector construction; j K c Figure 9 is a view in section of a modified construction of adapter and related parts;

Figure 10 is a plan view of the adapter of the modification of Fig. 9; r Figure 11 showsthe lamp base shell;

Figure 12 is a section of Fig. 10 along lines 12- 12.

Figure 13 is a detail of a modified form of Supporting means for the inner reflector; an" I Figure M is a detail of a modified socket In brief, the invention consists in supplygether with an adapter or adapting connector suitable for connecting the reflector lamp unit to the headlight lamp socket, and with J in the original or-first reflector, so that removal-of the first reflector is unnecessary. The invention includes also means for applying' as a unit to ordinary headlamps with smooth regular parabolic reflectors, a barred or stepped reflector Without the necessity of lamp construction to efiect light adjustment. A commercial example of the latter'reflector is the flat lite.

Referring .to the drawings, there is indicated the usual headlight casing 10 containing the usual parabolic reflector 11. The rim of the reflector is outturned forming the This plate carries at its periphery a right-angled double flange 13 designed to contact with the cylindrical casingv ing a second or replacement reflector, and awhich the reflectoris secured, to-

' mg inwardly ring 14 integral with the casing, whereby the reflector is maintained from lateral dislacement. There is formed also in the rent face of plate 12 a circumferential groove 15 adapted to receive a cushioning material 16 interposed between the plate and the lamp lens 17.- The lens 17 and reflector 11 are maintained in assembled position within the headlight casing 10 by meansof a cap ring 18, this cap including a ring portion 19 adapted to encase the easing edge ring 14, the plate portion so extendover the edge of the lens 17 and a backturned flange 21, the edge 22 of which is adapted to contact 17 and. maintain it in place.

he connector 25, forming the connecting means between the lamp and the external electrical circuit is 26 and fixedby any suitable means to the edge '27 of an aperture 28, formed in the casing base. The reflector 11 is apertured as at 30,

similarly 29 and extended in a rin forming a continuation of the tube 26. he connector is axially movable in the tube 26 and ring 30, the moving means ineluding an outstanding lug 31 movable in a slot 32 by means of a machine screw 33. The screw 33 is accessible from without the casing 10, in which it turns freely and is screw-threaded in the lug 31, therebeing a cotter pin 34 in the inner end of the screw'to prevent complete outscrewing and a coil spring 35 around the screw intermediate the casing and lug 31 to maintain the connector at its inner limiting position as determined by the screw adjustment.

Each end of the connector'is oppositely cut by bayonet slots 36 and 37, the outer slots 36 receiving pins 38 formed onthe external circuit plug 39 and the slots 37 receiving ordinarily the pins 40 of the lamp base but .7

I 1n the invention described the pins 41 (Fig.

fix them in a 4) are formed on the cooperating end of the adapter 42. 1

The adapter 42 is designed to form a connecting unitmechanieally between the connector 25 and the lamp As illustrated (Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) the adapter is comprised in a socket member 44 secured by internal threads 45 to a plug member 46, there being a set screw 47 intermediate these parts to given relationship. The plug 46 carries, as previously indicated, the attachmg pins 41 adapted to contact'with the bayonet slots 37 of the connector 25.' The end of the plug is closed by the inturned flange 48 and by the electrically insulating material 49 in which is imbedded the contact plate 50 and conductor 51.- Inside the end 48 is an insulation washer 52 and adjacent theinner surface of the Washer a metal plate 53 supported onand having direct electrical conn ction with the contact plate with the lens h positioned in the tube,

fed by the bayonet and electrically 50 by means of the conductor 51. The edges of the plate 53am inturned to form anannular retaining flange for one end of the coil spring 54, the other end of which engages the contact pin 55 as hereinafter described.

Abutting the inner end of the plug member '46 and contacting with the inner surface ofthe socket member 44 is an insulator washer 56, retained in position by a ridge 57 formed interiorly of the socket member adjacent the washer. The washer 56 carries at its center a bearing plug 58 apertured to receive in slidable relationship the pin 55 ereinabove indicated. The end of the pin projecting into the plug interior is enlarged to form a centering element 59 for the inner end of the coil spring 54, and also carries a shoulder 60 fixed to the pin against which the spring 54 normally bears with yielding force, thus maintaining the pin 55 at the inner limit of its movement within the plug 58. The inner end of the pin 55 is adapted to contact yieldingly by virtue of the spring 54, against the contact plate 61 of the lamp socket, as will be apparent to those skilled in this art, said contact being mountslot 62, engaging the lamp pins 40.

Passing now to consideration of the replacement reflector 70, there is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 a preferred form of the same, there being an; axial opening with a rearward flange 71 which is slotted to permit entry of the lamp pins 40, and an outwardly flared rim '72 adapted to rest at its edge against the forward edge of the original reflector. The reflector is preferably attached to the lamp base 43 by means of a spring clamp 73, encircling the flange 71. Set screws 74 are placed in the reflector rim 2, spaced preferably at angles of 120, whereby a pivotal adjustment of the reflector about its base support may be secured. coil spring 75 is inserted between front and rear reflectors to assist in maintaining the parts in a given set relationship as will be hereinafter detailed.

Note should be made of the bayonet slots 62 as having straight holding surfaces 63,

. extending approximately 45about the shell.

It should be observed also that while not fundamental to the invention, the replacement reflector 70 is illustrated as of the type having vertical zones, parabolic only in vertical planes, whereby a Wider and more eflicient light distribution is obtained and with less glare, than that normally obtainable from universally parabolic reflectors. In such a modified parabolic reflector, however, it is essential for proper illumination, that the plane of the lamp filament be transverse to the planes ofthe flat parabolic reflector sections, as illustrated in Fig. 1 and where the lamp and reflector of this type are marketed as a unit, it is desirable that these members be clamped in proper relationship as above indicated. 7 v

The variouselement'sand members of the headlight. hereinabove described are assembled as. follows.) The lamp-is mounted and clamped in the replacement reflector, the.

filament if a flat lite type reflector is em? ployed being in a plane perpendicular to 10 the zone planes .of the reflector. The head- .lightrim and lens having'been removed, the

replacement reflector, with the flatzones in planes approximatelyperpendicular. to the 1 plane of the filament, is placed-in the rear reflector and the pins 10 entered .into the bayonet slots 62, the contact plate 61' of the lamp simultaneously compressing the pin 55. With the pins contacting against the slot edge 63, adjustment by rotation is made until the reflector zone planes are vertical.

Then the set screws 74 are set to a point where the'reflector axis is at the desired angle. Finally, the set screw- 33 is. adjusted to take up slack intelgnediate the forward reflector and the casing. The above adjustments are supplemented by the coil spring 75 which tends-to take up any looseness brought about by Vibration and also assist in properly centering the movable elements.

Figures 6 and '7 illustrate a modifiedv adapter designed for use in a two-wire cir- L cult, there being, ndicated a one piece shell,

80,-havingi a shoulder 81 intermediate the socket 82 and plug 83, pins 84..and two: contact base 85. The base 85 includes la metal cap 86, having .an outturned sector 7 87 forming a; contact grounded on the shell, and a contact 88 insulated from the cap 86 by insulation 89 and Washer 90 and connected-to the spring end plate 91 by means of wire 92. The contact 88.;is in the form of a sector similarly, with contact 87 so that.

electrical contact .with'the headlight socket ,pins may be maintained throughout alimit .lengthof the bayonet slots 37.

Inthe tWO- WII'B circuit. adapter,

. course, apparent that. the .=adapter shell the lamp intermediatethe casing socket 31 "and thelam'p base 42,- the other circuit'being insulatedff Q Instead of the reflector, as indicated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, with flared edges con- ,tacting adjacent the reflecting edge. of the original or rear reflector," the replacement 6Q nating away from :the' edge of the forward reflector, and having aftransverse flange 96,

with a reverse-right, angled edge 97" .adja-" cent the rear reflector. surface. There is I formed-in the flange 96 a circumferential.

rotation of '1 the adapter determined they it f.

serves. as one circuit of theelectric flow to or forward reflector may. be formed .as in Figure .8with the'reflecting edge termigroove 98 in which -apacking fabricj99 of cotton, rubber or the like is positioned so 'to a minimum degree. The adapter unit 110 is formed of a plug member 111 and a socket member '112, which may be interconnected in any suitable manner or formed integral with each other. One satisfactory connection is illustrated which permits rotatable adjustment of, the parts and is formed by channelling opposite sides 113 and 114 of the connecting end 115 of the plug member along. arcs of about fortyfive degrees (Figs. 10 and 12). These channels receive the ends of set screws 116 and 117 movable .within the engaging'end of the socket member 112 and by setting the screws at different pointsalong the grooves 113 and 114, different relative adjustment of the socket and plug members is obtained.

is adjusted. until the reflector fits- In this form of adapter, the plug 1nem-- her 111 does not utilize a spring as in the first described form. Within the plug shell 112 is included a moulded cylinder 118 retained at one end by the grooves 113 and 114 and at the other endby prongs 119 out out from-the ege of the shell. The cylinder 118is non-conducting to electricity and is hollowed axially to receive a conductor rod 120, forming the electrical circuit between the lamp base and the lamp casing socket contact 121- and enlarged contact disks 122 and 128 are formed on either end of this rod to facilitate and improve contact. For

purposes of assembly and to permit ready adjustment the rod 120 is preferably formed in separate parts 124 and 125, connected by a screw joint, as illustrated in Fig. 9, with a plurality of washers 126set in between the-engaging ends.

Theplug pins 127 are formed preferably ;by striking out the shell surface or by other suitable means.

Aspreviously indicated, the plug member 111.is attached to the socket member 112 by a screw and-groove device. Inasmuch as the fshell 130 of the socket is relatively thin a reinforcing ring 131, is provided for the set screws 116 and 117, which is secured to the shell 130 by'fo'rmin'g four'holes 132 around the periphery of the' shell at points separated by "approximately ninety degrees through two 0 which the screws116 and 117 pass;

Ihe metal of the-shell 130 is forced out into 3 the remaining two holes and thus a secure interengagement of ring and shell is provided.

The end 134 of the socket 112 is corrugated annularly to form -an outwardly opening groove 135 adapted toreceive the edge of an aperture cut in the base of the replacement reflector 136.

- Means for retaining the lampin the shell 130 is provided for in a screw 137 adapted to hold the lamp in fixed position. A ring 138 gives reinforcement to the shell, said ring extending around the shell adjacent the groove 135, and having a plurality of holes 139 formed therein adapted to receive the outforced metal of the shell 130 to prevent movement relative thereto.

Means for permitting universal ment of the lamp socket is obtained by.placing a sleeve 1&0 onjthe lamp base, there being two oppositely positioned axial slots 141 cut therein terminating in holes 142, wherebythe sleeve is readily slipped over the lamp base pins 143 until the same enter the holes 142.

This construction forms a smooth plug memreadily adjusted either her which may be v axially or rotatably, greatly facilitating the adjustment of the lamp in the replacement reflector 136.

There is illustrated in Figures 9 and 13' various means off-engagement of the outer edge of the replacement reflector 136 with the parts of the ordinary headlight reflector 11 or the lens 17. In Figure 9 the edge of the reflector 136 is turned outwardly in a transverse plane as at 150 and then rearwardly in channelled formation, as at. 151, and in this channel is placed a ring of yielding material, such as a. fabric cord adapted to contact with'the surface of the fixed refiector 11. In Figure 13, instead of forming the rim 150 integral with the reflector 136, it

in the other forms because of the greater is formed separately as ing an annular channel 154 adapted to rest against a narrow flange 155, formed on the reflector edge and retained in position by reason of its enlarged diameter relative to the rearward portions of the reflector 11. It is, of course, obvious that instead of forming the rings 150 and 153 with outer chainnels 151 and 154, forward opening grooves may be employed adapted to hold cords eontacting with the lens 17 of the reflector, a snug pressure between lens and reflector being obtained by adjustment of the focusing screw 33.

The form of construction as described relative to Figs. 9 to 13 has an important advantage in ament to a greater degree than is possible contraction of axial length of the adapter;

device and adj ustplane normal to that a loose ring 153 hav-.

permitting a retraction of the lamp said light bulb.

because of this compactness of the of the few number of parts, and also because of the great ease of adjustment, all of the important difiiculties normally associated with reflector replacement are obviated. Figure 14 illustrates the modified means of adjusting the shell 140 without the use of a reinforcing ring 139, there being employed two oppositely positioned screws 150,

Moreover,

screw-threaded in the shell 112 contacting against tlie shell 140.

Various modifications, other than those described, may be evident to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains and therefore it is not desired to limit the invention further than as defined in the claims hereto appended. Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is: v

1. In a lamp, the combination of a casing; 21 reflector within said casing, said reflector aving parabolic {zones lying planes; a monoplanic illuminant said reflector, said secured to illuminant lying in a of the reflector zones; means whereby adjustment of said reflector relative to the illuminant is secured; and means for securing lateral adjustment of the reflector.

2. An adapter replacement unit for headlamps comprising a replacement reflector having barred reflecting surfaces; a lamp having a monoplanic light source; and an adapter secured to said reflector on the axis thereof, said adapter having separable adjustable interengaging parts whereby an adjustable electrical connection may be provided through the adapter.

4. In a headlight, a casing; a primary reflector mountci in'sald casing; a socket mounted in said primary reflector; a tubular member removably supported by said socket, a replacement reflector supported upon said tubular member; a light bulb removably supported in said tubular member; and a variable length electrical connector slidably mounted in said tubular member and adapted to electrically connect said socket with In testimony whereof, I aifix my signature.

SAMUEL F. ARBUCKLE.

in parallel 

